4.12.2012

this is winnie


"the dairy cow doesn't ask for much but she asks every day." -keeping a family cow

there has become something unavoidably final about our recent acquisition of a milking cow. winnie. she is so sweet. a little skinny. so beautiful. so patient with my fumbling cold hands. so giving. she is there. morning and night. every day. she lets out a great low bellow when she hears the clanking of our arrival in the parlor. washing up before milking. we've taken her calf away from her and now it is completely on us to see this through. morning and night. every day. 

it is a responsibility to animals we have never held on our own. it makes this journey to farming feel more definite. no more nighttime outings to movies, to dinner, to friends, until we have milked. no more sleepins with nick. no more leisurely breakfasts before chores. no more weekends away together, until we find a capable farm-sitter. but i don't feel the loss of these things yet. i don't doubt that will come. but in this first week i -perhaps naively- only feel the excitement and ease in having her there in the barn. morning and night. 

18 comments:

  1. big responsibilities-you should be proud!

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  3. precious. i love the quote too, i'm proud of you!

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  5. While I may not be the most capable, I'll sit on your farm anytime. Love little Winnie. Now our van and your cow share the same pretty little name. Yes. Really. I think you probably already knew that and were paying homage to her. She is quite the reliable beast. :)

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  6. a few farm-geek questions:
    what breed is she? in the picture she looks like a jersey, but her calf looks like a devon...

    also, did you sell the calf or just separate them?

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  7. what happens to her calf in the farm? just curious...

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  8. She looks like she will be worth the trouble. And I'm sure, over time, you'll find Winnie-sitters to help you get away for a night or two.

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  9. love the quote, and your descriptions of winnie.

    your new responsibility reminds me of becoming a mother- lots of milking involved, no more sleep ins, or late night movies, being spontaneous is sort of out the window... I miss our late night walks most of all.

    I LOVE your blog, my husband and I drool over your adventures!

    ~abigail
    tiptoethrough.blogspot

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  10. Oh yeah, I love your blog too! You describe the lifestyle I dream about.
    I hope you will manage to find a good farm-sister!

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  11. Oh how lovely she is! Best of luck with this new venture! I know you'll make it a success!

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  12. She is beautiful, and looks to have a very gentle nature. I know what you mean about the apparent lack of freedom - I haven't had that for about two years now, and to be honest I really don't miss it. It's just a different kind of freedom these days. Plus, I don't think there's anythong cooler than, "sorry, I can't come to the movies, I have to milk my cow." I really want to say that one of these days ;)
    -Jaime

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  13. nice to meet you, winnie.

    p.s. my mother's name is winnifred, winnie for short. ;)

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  14. Always wanted to have a cow.. and fresh milk everyday.. perhaps a couple of chickens and a donkey too, nothing too fancy.. Congratulations!

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  15. she is so pretty! congratulations one your cow!

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  16. I love following this journey of yours. Your new farm sounds lovely, thank you for sharing a bit of it here with us.

    S.

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